Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, has been held in Dubai on suspicion of possessing drugs. The fast bowler, who tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone, nearly two years ago, was held back by local authorities the day before yesterday though it is believed that they have not yet registered a case against him.

"Mohammad Asif has been held up since the day before yesterday in Dubai," a senior PCB official told Cricinfo. "So far the authorities haven't told us much but that it is on suspicion of possessing a contraband item."

Though the board had not yet been fully notified, the official said it was believed Asif was caught with a drug, either opium or hashish. Local TV channels have been reporting it as the former. When asked whether the PCB had provided any legal help to Asif in Dubai, the official said only that the situation will be made clear at a press conference the board will hold on the situation this afternoon at 12.30pm (PST).

Asif, along with Shoaib Akhtar, tested positive in an internal dope test conducted by the Pakistan board in October 2006. He was initially banned for one year, though the ban was overturned on appeal a month later. Since then, one of the most promising fast bowlers on the world circuit has been dogged by a long-standing elbow problem. The injury had already taken the sheen away from a prodigious start to his international career and this new development is likely to do so even more.

You remember Wasim Akram, who was cought doping during a carribean tour and he threw the stuff in the sea. Then denied, I don't exactly remember the timeline at the moment.

Pak-Afg grows the half of world's opium, Chars & Ganza stuff. There is no alchohol avail able except for the elites. So most of the people resort to these easily available stuff. In Afg I saw people smoking chars in public and older people do it at home. Some boys were taking credit that his grand parent is doping for last 40 years and he is so strong. :)

These are more in tribal cultures, though. This is pretty normal in pak young boys to dope, as Dyle in some BD areas. Off course the report still doesn't confirm him posessing hashish. Just suspicion, won't be surprised if released.

Any expert can say? Does dyle gets caught in ICC dope test? shouldn't, i think it's totally different. No guarrantee of what might happen to BD players, if that's introduced. :)

mahbubH

June 3, 2008, 12:56 AM

Asif seems following Shoaib's path. He is such a good bowler ... should not be destroyed himself in this way.

BANFAN

June 3, 2008, 01:21 AM

Asif seems following Shoaib's path. He is such a goof bowler ... should not be destroyed himself in this way.

Did you mean good? :)

mahbubH

June 3, 2008, 01:43 AM

Did you mean good? :)

Thanks!

Alien

June 3, 2008, 02:07 AM

I looked up on the net and one site says you can get jailed for 15 years for possessing drugs in Dubai. Because he isn't an Arab or Westerner, chances are he'll cop the full 15.

In that case he has bigger things to worry about not what PCB might do to him. In 15 years time his country will most likely be run over by Talibans and cricket there will be history in no time.

Surfer

June 3, 2008, 02:31 AM

I looked up on the net and one site says you can get jailed for 15 years for possessing drugs in Dubai. Because he isn't an Arab or Westerner, chances are he'll cop the full 15.

In that case he has bigger things to worry about not what PCB might do to him. In 15 years time his country will most likely be run over by Talibans and cricket there will be history in no time.

Reality is a little different. Laws are different for the common man and foreign celebrities.

An Indian actor called Raza was arrested in Dubai airport on similar charges. India successfully brought him back though he spent more than a month in Dubai jail.

The only reason charges have not been pressed on Asif is that he is a foreign celebrity. You are the airport authority who finds a star, Asif in possession of illegal drugs. You know the seriousnesses of the case and you know the kind of diplomatic pressure that will be involved in this case. But you cant let him off with the drugs as that is a serious crime. So what do you do? You arrest him but dont press charges giving time to the two governments time to resolve the issue. If your government does not bow to pressure from Pakistan, you press charges. If your government does not want to spoil their relationship with Pakistan, he is immediately deported to his country. Simple.

I think he will get off in a month max.

Surfer

June 3, 2008, 02:33 AM

BTW the arrest is certainly not by mistake....as its been two days. If it was a mistake, he would have been freed by now.

BANFAN

June 3, 2008, 04:50 AM

"Yes, we can confirm about Asif's arrest. He was stopped at Dubai airport on charges of carrying opium and was supposed to be brought before the magistrate on Tuesday," the anonymous PCB official said.

Khaleej Times (http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2008/June/theuae_June87.xml&section=theuae)

Sohel

June 3, 2008, 05:05 AM

WTF's WRONG with these people ?!?

I blame the acceptability of Bollywood khyatami and Diego Armando Maradonna, arguably the most popular athlete in South Asia despite a colorful history of cheating/drug addiction/**oremongering/child abandonment throughout his career, for initiating this disturbing trend in our part of the world.

Danda kothay? If we see more of the just-slap-him-on-the-wrist-again approach here, we'll see more Shoaibs and Asifs, period.

Mohiul

June 3, 2008, 05:39 AM

When this guy was banned with Shoaib and later on confessed, I took it as he's rectified, but who knows ........

Yameen

June 3, 2008, 06:02 AM

typical pakis, there such good players but do themselves no favours at all and asif should be banned from cricket for 2 years atleast if indeed found guilty

Bengaliprince176

June 3, 2008, 06:17 AM

not again......he's such a talented player...what a waste

Kabir

June 3, 2008, 08:49 AM

Speechless.

All I can say is, I hope these don't come to the BD team ever. Inshallah.

Pathetic to say the least. If he really had opium with himself, he shouldn't be excused. Sports and these drugs do not mix. Period.

al Furqaan

June 3, 2008, 11:38 AM

BTW the arrest is certainly not by mistake....as its been two days. If it was a mistake, he would have been freed by now.

not really. i can still give asif the benefit of the doubt until they release the substance analysis reports.

you could get arrested by arabs, and provided that you're not white or arab yourself, they could know its a mistake 15 minutes into the investigation, and you'd be free to go home a week later.

the other week minus 15 minutes is so they can get their *paperwork* done.

Rabz

June 3, 2008, 12:24 PM

:floor::floor::floor:

What more can i say?

Tigers_eye

June 3, 2008, 12:53 PM

not really. i can still give asif the benefit of the doubt until they release the substance analysis reports.

you could get arrested by arabs, and provided that you're not white or arab yourself, they could know its a mistake 15 minutes into the investigation, and you'd be free to go home a week later.

the other week minus 15 minutes is so they can get their *paperwork* done.
lol, such is your love for fast bowlers. Give it up bro!!

This is not his first time. Did you read what he said on the coverup plea?

Something like "it was in my wallet for months. I didn't even know what it was." :floor::floor::floor: how much naive one can be? make up better excuses Asif!!

akabir77

June 3, 2008, 12:56 PM

lol, such is your love for fast bowlers. Give it up bro!!

This is not his first time. Did you read what he said on the coverup plea?

Something like "it was in my wallet for months. I didn't even know what it was." :floor::floor::floor: how much naive one can be? make up better excuses Asif!!

COmon T_E. He is saying the truth. If he knew what it was then he would have smoked it months ago...:floor:

akabir77

June 3, 2008, 01:14 PM

from Dailystar.net

The Mohammad Asif detention case took a new turn Tuesday with the pacer accused of and detained for drug possession, claiming he had been implicated following his brawl with some officials at the Dubai airport.

'Express' television channel claimed to have spoken to Asif who is under detention at the Dubai airport at the moment in which he told them that he had reached Dubai from Mumbai on Sunday a bit tipsy.

Asif claimed he was a bit drunk and got into an argument with airport officials which led to a brawl and he slapped one of them.

The channel said the pacer had told them that the authorities recovered a small quantity of "Shilajit", an Ayurvedic medicine for boosting strength, in his wallet and charged him with possession of opium.

But when 'Geo' channel spoke to the Pakistan Cricket Board's Director Human Resources Nadeem Akram, who is in Dubai, the official denied having any knowledge of the slapping incident.

"I really don't know because neither Asif nor the local authorities have mentioned about this to me," Akram said.

"Right now he is in detention at the airport and the case will go before the public prosecutor this evening. If it is proved he had a banned illegal contraband item on him, he will be charge-sheeted. But we don't want to jump to conclusions right now," he said.

BANFAN

June 3, 2008, 01:35 PM

Pak has good relation with UAE, that could work to make new stories; if they want to leave him. But UAE even don't leave Shadas for drugs. Anything can happen.

Tigers_eye

June 3, 2008, 01:59 PM

Pak has good relation with UAE, that could work to make new stories; if they want to leave him. But UAE even don't leave Shadas for drugs. Anything can happen.
Good thing that this was not in Singapur. I think 15 years is the max penalty in Dubai.

Fazal

June 3, 2008, 02:02 PM

Good thing that this was not in Singapur. I think 15 years is the max penalty in Dubai.

Are you sure its 15 years and not hands (or even worst Kolla) chop-off?

Alien

June 3, 2008, 09:25 PM

Are you sure its 15 years and not hands (or even worst Kolla) chop-off?

AFAIK, only Yemen and Saudi are known for that.

Alien

June 3, 2008, 09:30 PM

Pak has good relation with UAE

All these Arab countries have good relations with other Muslim countries on government level. Saudi never criticised BD or Khaleda/Hasina for running the country while women in Saudi don't even get to sit in drivers seat. Same with other Arab countries.

On people to people basis, its the same relationship as master and slave.

As for Pak government, they have bigger fish to fry like dealing with Talibans and appeasing America and taking care of suicide bombings than worry about some fast bowling junkie. At most there will be a plea for reduced sentence and thats it.

You remember Wasim Akram, who was cought doping during a carribean tour and he threw the stuff in the sea. Then denied, I don't exactly remember the timeline at the moment.
It was not only Wasim Akram.
During the 1992-93 Caribbean tour Pakistan bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aaqib Javed and Mushtaq Ahmed - were arrested on a Grenadean beach, and charged with constructive possession of marijuana. They were frogmarched to the police station and taunted by officers and onlookers. The said cricketers escaped with a reprimand from Pak cricket board.

DUBAI — Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Asif will spend at least another two days in detention before it is known whether or not he will be formally charged with drug possession, according to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official.

Khaleej Times (http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2008/June/theuae_June201.xml&section=theuae)

Ittefaq reports that he is not going to be chanrged in Dubai, will be left to Pak. Even though the materials found with him was proven to be opium (Gaja)

ITTEFAQ (http://www.ittefaq.com/content/2008/06/06/news0046.htm)

So their (Pak-UAE) relations worked.

Ishtylish cricketer

June 6, 2008, 08:31 PM

Thanks Eshen, I couldn't recollect the entire incident.

Latest on Asif in Khaleej Times:

DUBAI — Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Asif will spend at least another two days in detention before it is known whether or not he will be formally charged with drug possession, according to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official.

Khaleej Times (http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2008/June/theuae_June201.xml&section=theuae)

Ittefaq reports that he is not going to be chanrged in Dubai, will be left to Pak. Even though the materials found with him was proven to be opium (Gaja)

ITTEFAQ (http://www.ittefaq.com/content/2008/06/06/news0046.htm)

So their (Pak-UAE) relations worked.

Great dig. Many pundits, the true connaisseurs of the game thought this guy was going to be the next great (Pakistani) fast bowler but it seems like he's determined to prove everyone wrong. I have a feeling nothing major will happen to him. He will be playing for Pakistan before we know it.

Serves him right, these paki guys neva learn their lesson. Wasnt he satisfied when he got banned for 2 years for a similar case?

I hope they release him so that we can see his fantastic bowling

Thats the problem. He was not banned....the ban was over turned. Had he served that ban, he probably wouldnt be behind the bars today.

Tigers_eye

June 19, 2008, 12:13 PM

Asif is getting out finally. I think no punishment will be levied on him. Eventhough he was caught red handed with Hashish. In the long run PCB will suffer if they don't punish him even for few games.

You can not carry Hashish no matter what. The charges were not filled because of high-level govt. involvement. Hence ICC can't ban him. It is all up to PCB to straighten him out now. Otherwise I fear junior talented cricketers down the road would continue embarrass everyone.

BANFAN

June 19, 2008, 12:21 PM

So he is probably saved from a IPL Ban :)

Times of India Says:
Indian Premier League CEO Sundar Raman on Thursday said that if Asif is found guilty of carrying and consuming contraband drugs, he could very well be disallowed from playing in future editions of the tournament.

Times Of India (http://ipl.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mohammad_Asif_could_face_IPL_ban/articleshow/3102474.cms)

Rabz

June 19, 2008, 01:36 PM

i hope its a wake up call for Asif

Somethings never change.
For some ppl, they are simply built-in that way.
Even if they leave trouble, trouble wont leave them.

Being a junkie is not a big deal in Pakistan cricket, looks like Asif will slide back into the team after a farcical investigation into his case.

Puck

June 24, 2008, 06:02 PM

recent studies seem to indicate that long term abuse of the strongest form of ganja, certainly what is presently doing the rounds in the west could lead to depression. from the little that i know of hashish useage in pakistan, the form they take is the resin. this is very very mild indeed. in any case, ganja is not a performance enhancing drug. it might make him a little happier for a while, inducing a new spirit of enthusiasm for the sport!

it isn't as if he was caught with a wad of **** in his suitcase or perhaps smack cocaine. i think we should wait for the official statement from mohammad asif or his representative before calling him names :)

BANFAN

June 26, 2008, 07:55 AM

recent studies seem to indicate that long term abuse of the strongest form of ganja, certainly what is presently doing the rounds in the west could lead to depression. from the little that i know of hashish useage in pakistan, the form they take is the resin. this is very very mild indeed. in any case, ganja is not a performance enhancing drug. it might make him a little happier for a while, inducing a new spirit of enthusiasm for the sport!

it isn't as if he was caught with a wad of **** in his suitcase or perhaps smack cocaine. i think we should wait for the official statement from mohammad asif or his representative before calling him names :)

What do you mean? We already know the official statement from PCB. Why do u have to wait for a make up story from Asif? or Saint Asif?? if u may like to call ?

JonBain

July 10, 2008, 04:45 PM

the anti drug laws are all crap

anyone can slip something into your wallet, or spike your drink

if the drugs were so bad, then his game would suffer, and that would be punnishment enough.

all anti-drug laws are just a corrupt waste of time that do nothing more than allow corruption and exploitation to run rife

how can they possibly prove that he knew what it was?

can they read his mind?

its all just kak

its not cricket at all

sbsash

July 11, 2008, 07:22 PM

Pakistani players are doing illegal stuffs a lot.

JonBain

July 12, 2008, 01:56 PM

Pakistani players are doing illegal stuffs a lot.

How can anyone be sure that it has not been a deliberate attempt to just discredit them?

Its a tough competitive dog-eat-dog world out there. Relatives of people who have not been selected have been known to do underhanded things.

Gibbs hit six sixes in an over after smoking cannabis. I say: give them cannabis. Its good for cricket. Botham was a notorious smoker.

Ever heard of a place called Jamaica? The home of reggae?

Alcohol does far more damage to the body than cannabis or even opium for that matter. Should cricketers who drink alcohol be thrown in prison for 15 years?

(That would be one way to ensure the aussies are no longer the top team - heheheh)
;-j

Surfer

July 13, 2008, 09:04 AM

How can anyone be sure that it has not been a deliberate attempt to just discredit them?

Its a tough competitive dog-eat-dog world out there. Relatives of people who have not been selected have been known to do underhanded things.

Gibbs hit six sixes in an over after smoking cannabis. I say: give them cannabis. Its good for cricket. Botham was a notorious smoker.

Ever heard of a place called Jamaica? The home of reggae?

Alcohol does far more damage to the body than cannabis or even opium for that matter. Should cricketers who drink alcohol be thrown in prison for 15 years?

(That would be one way to ensure the aussies are no longer the top team - heheheh)
;-j

You are a person of criminal mind. You support them and you think they are more justified than law abiding citizens.

Your theory is no criminal should be charged or prosecuted because, you never know, someone might have planted the evidence on them. Its a dog-eat-dog world out there you know. Mate, there arent as many dogs as you think. Once we lock the criminals up, there will be even lesser dogs.

JonBain

July 13, 2008, 11:39 AM

you are obviously an atheist or a drunkard

christ said
'no substance that goes into you can effect your ritual' (morals)

there are lots of laws that are made purely to exploit people - if cannabis is so bad, then why is holland the wealthiest country in europe?????

my point is that simply having something in your pocket proves nothing.

you know nothing about my mind, your own mind, or anyone elses for that matter. study psychology sometime. (95% for psychology honours)
(75% for philosophy of ethics)

what are your alleged credentials?

Kabir

July 13, 2008, 06:35 PM

Wow. Christ sure was right.

BANFAN

July 14, 2008, 08:21 AM

How can anyone be sure that it has not been a deliberate attempt to just discredit them?

You can probably be sure now, Asif tested positive in IPL. Someone might put it in his money bag, but in his blood? there is only one other way, u know what I mean. :)

everyone is sayin end of story for Asif. lets see... we have seen so many kahini about him..

Surfer

July 16, 2008, 04:55 AM

everyone is sayin end of story for Asif. lets see... we have seen so many kahini about him..

Not yet.

1. Sample B is not yet tested and there is a 10% probability that it might not test positive.
2. ICC has already stated that they would not take any action and would leave that to BCCI. International cricket is outside BCCI's jurisdiction and BCCI can only ban Asfi from IPL. Nothing more.
3. PCB has said that they would not take this kindly, but we know how much they mean it. Though Asif has been zxed right now, I am sure he will get back on appeal.

BANFAN

July 16, 2008, 06:39 AM

Not yet.

2. ICC has already stated that they would not take any action and would leave that to BCCI. International cricket is outside BCCI's jurisdiction and BCCI can only ban Asfi from IPL. Nothing more.

if BCCI bans him for IPL. That will trigger the rest, ultimately he can't play in any form of ccricket for sure.

But of course if it is not proven in B sample, he remains everywhere.

BANFAN

July 16, 2008, 06:45 AM

Not yet.

2. ICC has already stated that they would not take any action and would leave that to BCCI. International cricket is outside BCCI's jurisdiction and BCCI can only ban Asfi from IPL. Nothing more.

if BCCI bans him for IPL. That will trigger the rest, ultimately he can't play in any form of ccricket for sure.

But of course if it is not proven in B sample, he remains everywhere.

auntu

July 16, 2008, 02:28 PM

hmmm.... khini tahole matro shuru hoilo....

MysoreHuli

July 17, 2008, 04:43 AM

Asif is such a bad example for the cricketing fraternity, better ban him for life and be done with it. Enough of his antics.